Germany calls for clarification on Ukraine cluster bomb accusations

BERLIN, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Germany called on Wednesday for
closer examination of allegations that Ukraine government forces
used cluster munitions in their military campaign against
pro-Russian separatists.

The allegations were contained in a report by Human Rights
Watch, which said evidence pointed to Kiev's forces using
cluster bombs this month in Donetsk, the rebels' main stronghold
in eastern Ukraine. The report said the rebels may have used
similar weapons.

"The German government has a strong interest in getting
these events cleared up and by that I of course mean the events
regarding the alleged use of cluster bombs," German government
spokesman Steffen Seibert said at a news conference.

"We call upon the parties in the conflict to co-operate in a
thorough clarification of the events," he added.

Spokesmen for the Kiev government's military operation and
the pro-Russian rebels they are fighting have rejected the
allegations.

Seibert said Germany could not pass judgement on the truth
of the claims, but called the accusations "serious".

Cluster bombs explode in the air, scattering dozens of
smaller bomblets over an area the size of a sports field. Most
nations have banned their use under a convention that became
international law in 2010, but Ukraine has not signed it.

Seibert said using such bombs was "inhumane" and if they
were used in Ukraine, the German government would strongly
condemn this.
(Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)